Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Source: Hour Magazine (CN QU)
Copyright: 2007 Communications Voir Inc.
Contact:  http://www.hour.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/971
Author:  Charlie McKenzie
Note: From MAP: The conference schedule is at 
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ssdp/content.jsp?content_KEY=2328 
MAP'S Matt Elrod http://www.drugsense.org/me/ is presenting the Media 
Activism Workshop. Registration is free to all Canadian students 
http://www.ssdp.org/canada/register.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?219 (Students for Sensible Drug Policy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?179 (Nadelmann, Ethan)

STUDENTS ON DRUGS

McGill's Harm Reduction Centre will host the first annual meeting of 
Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP) this weekend. 
Speakers and student activists from across Canada and the U.S. will 
discuss domestic and international drug policies, harm reduction and 
policy reform initiatives, as well as setting up other CSSDP chapters 
across Canada. Students for Sensible Drug Policy, an international 
grassroots organization founded in 2003, is presently forming 
Canadian chapters in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

The McGill conference will develop terms for a national mandate and 
hold elections for the first ever board of directors for Canadian 
SSDP branches.

Among the keynote speakers for the event is Ethan Nadelmann, 
described by Rolling Stone as "the point man" for U.S. drug policy 
reform. The founder and executive director of the Drug Policy 
Alliance, Nadelmann made Canadian headlines earlier this month by 
challenging U.S. drug czar John Walters' visit to Ottawa to applaud 
the Harper government's strong law and order stance.

"What's remarkable about U.S. drug policy," warned Nadelmann, "is the 
way it endures despite persistent evidence that it is ineffective, 
costly and counterproductive. Part of [Walters'] agenda is to 
persuade Canada to follow in U.S. footsteps, which can only happen if 
Canadians ignore science, compassion, health and human rights."

While drug reform measures may have slipped from the mainstream 
media's radar of late, interest is high and a revival of student 
involvement is welcome relief to many drug war veterans.

"I can't think of a more appropriate venue," said long-time activist 
and conference participant Marc Boris St-Maurice, director of the 
Montreal Compassion Centre. "Students are some of prohibition's more 
vulnerable victims: A criminal record for even simple pot possession 
can wipe out a multitude of career options and opportunities."

Registration is free with breakfast and a vegan lunch, but a $5 
donation is suggested. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake